CINCINNATI, Ohio — The shooting of a gorilla at a the Cincinnati Zoo is now the subject of a federal investigation. The USDA is looking into the zoo's decision to kill the gorilla that was dragging a boy that got into it's enclosure.
Meanwhile, the mother of that boy is defending herself to online critics. In a Facebook post that's since been deleted, Michelle Gregg says her four-year-old son is safe and was able to walk away from the ordeal with just a concussion and a few scrapes.
In the post, she went on to say "As a society we are quick to judge how a parent could take their eyes off of their child...if anyone knows me, I keep a tight watch on my kids. Accidents happen, but I am thankful the right people were in the right place today."
Gregg has faced an onslaught of social media attention after zoo keepers shot and killed the endangered gorilla that was dragging the boy.
Animal activists held a vigil for the gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo Monday. The zoo is standing by it's decision, saying the boy was being slammed against the concrete and his life was in danger.
Animal experts from all over, including Jane Goodall and Jack Hanna, have backed the zoo's decision. FOX25 talked with long time television host Jeff Corwin, who has a home on the South Shore. He says the lesson in this is for parents to treat zoos with the respect they deserve.
The zoo maintains that the barriers set up around the gorilla enclosure exceed the protocols established by the USDA.
A petition demanding criminal charges against the parents of that boy has swelled to 280,000 people.
The zoo also says a number of scientists working on genetic issues related to gorillas have contacted them about using the gorilla's remains for research.